AGM Statement

Sutton Harbour Holdings PLC 26 July 2005 Sutton Harbour Holdings plc AGM Statement Our new financial year has started well. Our traditional marine related activities have made steady progress. The trend towards larger fishing vessels using our facilities has led to an increase in fuel sales in both volume and value but with high fuel prices margins are tight if we are to maintain market share. The marina remains full and demand is strong for any berths that become vacant. Around the harbour it has been exciting to see the completion of our Harbour Avenue development and the progress of the Shepherd's Wharf development. The frame of the new office block for the Department of Works and Pensions on the Moon Street site is now in place and the development is currently on schedule and budget. The apartments being built by Barratt Homes on the other part of the same site are also going up fast. Another project underway is the development of apartments on the Penrose site. We are undertaking this development with Signpost Housing Association. We have a number of other regeneration projects in hand around Sutton Harbour and further afield but there is still work to do before we can be sure any of these will come to fruition. As I said in my statement with the accounts, both of the healthcare developments by ReSound Health Limited, in which we have a 37.2% interest, are well underway with the first health centre due for opening this autumn. We intend to bid for other similar schemes as they become available in the coming months because we believe they are attractive to your company as they provide guaranteed long term returns with public sector tenants. Bidding for such schemes is both time-consuming and costly but the rewards are worthwhile if one is successful. Passenger numbers passing through Plymouth City Airport in the first three months of the financial year were largely unchanged on those for the corresponding period a year ago. We do not expect significant increases in the current year unless additional routes are introduced, either by Air Southwest or by other carriers. Air Southwest has again exceeded our expectations in the first three months of this financial year during which it carried 73,000 passengers compared with 50,000 in the same period last year. This year's total has, of course, been boosted by the new routes introduced in April. We have maintained a 74% aircraft load factor and suffered no dilutory effect with the new routes. If this performance continues we expect another good year for Air Southwest despite the high price of fuel and the weakening pound. We are encouraged by various recent positive statements from Cornwall County Council about the future of Newquay Airport and the recent decision to go ahead with the enlargement of the terminal facilities there. Our aim in the year ahead is to balance growing airline revenues with rental income so that the company's earnings profile is not significantly altered. There are many opportunities available for us, particularly in regeneration, and we are confident we have the skills and ambition to translate these into higher profits and dividends for our shareholders. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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